Eastern Sierra: Six days backpacking trip on the North Lake to South Lake route via Lamarck Col

John Muir Wilderness - Inyo National Forest & Kings Canyon National Park. Bishop, California. Sierra Nevada.

Trailhead: North Lake

July 8-13, 2022

Itinerary:

Day 1: Parked at South Lake trailhead. Took the Eastern Sierra Transit Shuttle to Sabrina basin / North Lake road. Hiked from the N Lake Rd from the 168 junction to the North Lake - Lamarck Lakes trailhead. Then we hiked to the Upper Lamarck Lake for the first night camp. Approx. 7 mi, 2300 ft elevation gain.

Day 2: Lamarck Lakes to Lamarck Col, descent into Darwin Canyon and the Darwin Bench. Camp at the Darwin Bench Lake. Approx. 7 mi, 2300 ft elevation gain.

Day 3: Descent into the Evolution Valley to Evolution Lake, stop at the Evolution Creek water slide, then up the Evolution Basin by Evolution Lake, Sapphire Lake and Wanda Lake. Camp at Wanda Lake. Approx. 7 mi, 1000 ft elevation gain.

Day 4: Ascent to Muir Pass and stop at the the Muir Hut. Descent to Helen Lake and the Middle Fork of the Kings River into Le Conte Canyon. Camp at the Le Conte Canyon Ranger Station. Approx 9 mi, 500 ft elevation gain.

Day 5: Ascent to Dusy Basin from Le Conte Canyon. Cross country section in Dusy Basin. Camp at the Dusy Basin Lakes (11352 ft). Approx. 8 mi, 2800 ft elevation gain.

Day 6: Ascent to Bishop Pass from Dusy Basin. Bishop Pass Trail to the South Lake Trailhead. Approx. 7 mi, 700 ft elevation gain.


The North Lake to South Lake route is certainly among the most spectacular backpacking trips in the Lower 48. It is a world class backpacking route with an incredibly high ratio of "Alpine beauty" per mile. For this reason, we took it easy - a very comfortable six days backpacking trip to fully enjoy it with no rush.
We chose to do it through the alternative Lamarck Lakes / Lamarck Col route vs. the classic route via Piute Pass, Humphrey Basin and the Piute Canyon trail. The alternative Lamarck Col route is a bit more challenging but shorter. It entails the long climb to Lamarck Col but it brings you through the spectacular hike down Darwin Canyon and the Darwin Bench. This alternative route can be certainly done in 4-5 days. I did not feel the trip presented any challenging section.
The North Lake to South Lake route is very popular (rightly so), particularly along the JMT and PCT trails section. There are no issues to find good camping spots, but it is almost impossible to find solitude.
We cannot really point out any highlights for this trip because practically the entire route is exceptionally beautiful almost from beginning to end. I think the video images speak for themselves.
I would hike this route again and again and again.

Music:
Black Kite by Dast Follows
Licensed by Epidemic Sound.